Decision makers

Allow journalists to report properly on asylum seekers

The condition of refugees and asylum seekers in Australian detention centres is a matter of serious public interest. We hear a great deal about the number of people coming to Australia, but very little about who these people are or why they are willing to take huge personal risks and pay large amounts of money to come here. The department of Immigration and Citizenship is seeking to impose very restrictive conditions on reporters trying to get into detention centres to interview asylum seekers. We believe that these conditions deny Australian journalists the freedom to keep the public properly informed about this important issue. We ask that the Minister withdraw these conditions and consult more widely - and in public - about ways in which journalists can enter detention centres and talk with asylum seekers without invading their privacy or putting them in any danger.

This petition was delivered to:

Chris Bowen, federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Letter to

Chris Bowen, federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Chris Bowen, federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

The conditions of refugees and asylum seekers in Australian detention centres is a matter of serious public interest. We hear a great deal about the number of people coming to Australia, but very little about who these people are or why they are willing to take huge personal risks and pay large amounts of money to come here. The department of Immigration and Citizenship is seeking to impose very restrictive conditions on reporters trying to get into detention centres to interview asylum seekers. We believe that these conditions deny Australian journalists the freedom to keep the public properly informed about this important issue. We ask that the Minister withdraw these conditions and consult more widely - and in public - about ways in which journalists can enter detention centres and talk with asylum seekers without invading their privacy or putting them in any danger.----------------